LIVERPOOL'S first flight to London took off yesterday as final proof of the success of the Daily Post's campaign to restore the city's airlink to the capital.

LIVERPOOL'S first flight to London took off yesterday as final proof of the success of the Daily Post's campaign to restore the city's airlink to the capital.

Those who had been involved in launching the route, run by Belgian carrier VLM, were thanked on the inaugural journey, with the Daily Post and its readers at the top of the list of people who made it happen.

Managing director of VLM Johan Vanneste was in high spirits on the first day of the Liverpool to London airlink.

He said: "This flight today has been thanks to the Daily Post for its Fight for a Flight campaign, and I was one of the people that signed the petition when I visited Liverpool airport.

"Praise must go to the editor, Jane Wolstenholme, and the Daily Post. It has been a pleasure to work with them and I'm sure that will continue."

At 6.30am, VLM's first London-bound Fokker F50 took off into a clear sky from Liverpool's John Lennon airport.

Managing director of JLA Neil Pakey added his thanks to the Daily Post by saying: "This service is without doubt due to the driving force of the Fight for a Flight campaign.

"The whole thing should be seen as a benchmark for how to conduct a successful campaign.

"When VLM visited the airport, they were heavily influenced by the Daily Post's coverage and were immediately struck by the stand which had pages of signed petitions.

"That single day made their minds up that Liverpool needed this link and that's in great part to the efforts of local people and the Daily Post."

Editor Jane Wolstenholme was on the inaugural flight which touched down at London City airport in the heart of the capital's Docklands.

She said: "The flight was absolutely superb and I'm certain it won't disappoint anybody who uses it.

"The whole community of Merseyside fought long and hard to get this flight and, having been on the first one today, it is wonderful to see that VLM have produced such an outstanding service."

VLM's Mr Vanneste added that the reason he felt the route - with prices from #70 return including taxes - would be successful was the level of service.

Little luxuries like extra leg room, leather seats, china cups instead of plastic and a short check-in time come as standard.

The airline also has a 93pc punctuality rate, making it popular with business travellers who need reliability on internal services.

As of yesterday afternoon, 2,330 passengers had booked onto the new service, which runs five return flights per day, one on Saturday and two on Sunday.

The earliest flight is at 6.30am and with a flight time of 60 minutes and only 15 minutes to the main banking district of the capital, business travellers can arrive in time for a breakfast meeting. The last flight arrives in Liverpool at 9.30pm.

London City is the only airport inside the M25 and by the end of 2005 it will have a Jubilee line underground station directly outside.

For now, there is a regular shuttle bus service to the nearest tube stop. So far, 40 jobs have been created, with more hoped for if the service expands as VLM expect.

SIX MONTHS THAT BROUGHT SUCCESS>>>>

SIX MONTHS THAT BROUGHT SUCCESS>

August 21- Fight for a Flight is launched. The Daily Post reveals that Manchester has 36 flights a day to London while there are none from Liverpool.

August 22 - Transport Minister Tony McNulty meets airport and local business representatives at Liverpool Airport and later tells the Daily Post the case for a Liverpool-London Air link is "very strong".

August 23 - On the weekend of the Mathew Street and Creamfields Festivals, Cavern City Tours boss Bill Heckle says we are missing out on countless visitors every year because of the lack of an air link.

August 25 - Merseyside business leaders, MPs, council leaders and celebrities like Bill Kenwright and Yoko Ono back give their backing. August 26 - Three airlines - VLM, Easyjet and Ryanair all say they would consider a link.

September 5 - London Chamber of Commerce and the CBI back the campaign.

September 11 - On a visit to Mersey-side, Home Secretary David Blunkett says making slots available at London airports for regional services is essential to spread prosperity to the regions.

September 22 - With the help of the Friends of Liverpool Airport, the Daily Post sets up the Fight for a Flight campaign stand at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

October 17 - Daily Post holds Fight for a Flight forum.

November 27 - Daily Post editor Jane Wolstenholme presents Fight for a Flight dossier to Transport Minister Kim Howells at House of Commons.

December 2 - Daily Post exclusively reveals Belgian airline VLM is to begin a five-flights-a-day service to London City. Route is officially announced the following day.

February 5 - New Fokker F50 aircraft arrives at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (JLA) and is officially named "City of Liverpool".

February 23 - At 6.30am the first VLM flight takes off from JLA. At 9.30am a party of Merseyside VIPs board flight to London City.

Capital service launch symbolises a great stride forward for JLA>>>>

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Capital service launch symbolises a great stride forward for JLA>

* CHAIRMAN of Liverpool John Lennon Airport Robert Hough said: "This is a major stride forward, a must-have in a serious regional airport, which Liverpool clearly is, with aspirations and vision.

"Of all our 30 routes, this is the most vital as it connects us to London for both business and leisure and brings in inbound tourism.

"It joins the first and second cities of the UK!

"The Fight for a Flight campaign was exceptional and that was what galvanised and drove forward this campaign.

"Many people worked hard including the Mersey Partnership, councils, businesses, universities and ordinary people and together we've achieved this new link and convinced VLM of the commercial argument.

"This flight, quite simply, gives credibility to Liverpool."

* Lord Derby said on his way to business meetings in the capital: "I've been told that I'm already one of the most frequent flyers from Manchester to London so having a flight from Liverpool to the capital will be so much more convenient.

"And with young children who have short legs, Heathrow has a lot of walking when compared to city and I can vouch for their announced standards of punctuality.

"This service is introduced at the perfect time in the run up to 2008."

* Lord Mayor Ron Gould said: "This is a great day for Liverpool and very important, but we need it to be supported.

"It's a case of use it or lose it."

* MP Maria Eagle said: "I am sure this will be a fantastic link between two fantastic cities.

"It's the beginning of a new phase of development for the airport and we must use the service to make sure we reap the long term rewards."

* Leader of St Helens council Marie Rimmer said: "This connection is desperately needed and Liverpool airport is so convenient from all areas of Merseyside so there's no excuse not to fly to the only London airport within the M25, and that's City."

* MP Louise Ellman said: "This development is timed just right, as Liver-pool is on the up, people want to come here and this is a big step forward.

"It's a great day and has come about through consistent campaigning."

* MP for St Helens North David Watts is former chair of Liverpool airport. He said: "After today's flight, I would recommend as many people as possible to try it and they will stick with it."

* Manager of the Crowne Plaza in Liverpool, Stephen Roberts, said: "We cannot underestimate the importance of this link to and from Liverpool.

"There are major markets to be tapped like culture, business and football and we have come across an increasing number of guests from the South East who are frustrated with the transport links.

"With this flight, it means that Liverpool is no longer so isolated."

* Daily Post prizewinners Joyce and Peter Jolley from Spital, Wirral, said: "Even if we hadn't won the prize this is a service that we'd use, I'm sure.

"The plane was very comfortable and we had a great flight.

"Each time we come to Liverpool airport it's been added to and is different, and we think that's a really good sign."